Examples from Mexica Culture

Relief depicting a procession of warriors

Teocalli (or Temple) of the Sacred War, commemorating the New Fire of 1507.

Postclassic, Basalt, height: 123 cm

This monument was ordered by Moctezuma II to commemorate the New Fire of 1507. The symbolism relates to the cult of the sun and the idea of sacred war. The Sacred War was an institution by which victims were obtained for sacrifice in the temples. This monument was found underneath the National Palace.

A sacred receptacle called Cuauhxicalli in the shape of a jaguar

Late Postclassic. Stone, height: 93 cmHearts of sacrificial victims were placed in the hollowed-out cavity in its back. The jaguar symbolized bravery and a military order of warriors was thus associated with it. This culture believed that the blood of sacrificial victims was required to nourish the sum and keep it in motion.

Center: ceremonial incense burner

Right: relief with calendar

Left: a fertility goddess, holding her breasts as a sign of nourishment (?)

Center: either Mictecacíhuatl, the goddess of death, or a cihuateteo, a woman who died in childbirth